The Infamous Yang Cycle + AutoImmunity

Bivalirudin (BVR) is a direct thrombin inhibitor used as an adjunctive antithrombotic agent in combination with aspirin and an ADP-receptor blocker in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. When compared to a strategy of heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/I …

Optimal treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) remains one of the major challenges in interventional cardiology. A number of factors, including both patient clinical conditions and technical procedural considerations, have been identified to affect percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) succ …

Intravascular imaging plays a key role in optimizing outcomes for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) utilizes a user-friendly interface and provides high-resolution images. OCT can be used as part of daily practice in all stages of a coronary intervention: b …

Multiple variations exist in performing a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) among various cardiologists. These variations range from the choice of peripheral access artery (radial vs femoral), performance or time of complete angio …

The benefit of optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear. We aimed to assess the incremental value of adding OCT to coronary angiography in PCI by meta-analytic technique. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus and relevant references fo …

Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) remain a difficult lesion subset to treat. Although CTOs are present at coronary angiography in 15-20% of patients, only a small fraction of eligible patients will be offered percutaneous treatment. Recent publications from centers with dedicated CTO programs …

We will conclude this review by demonstrating the potential use of drug-coated balloon rather percutaneous stenting through case examples.

After publication of six randomized controlled trials, improving patient symptoms remains the principal indication for CTO PCI. Although good outcomes can be achieved with CTO PCI at experienced centers, success rates are significantly lower at less experienced centers, despite increased use in CTO …

One Stage Versus Multistaged Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PCI] [SMILE]: NCT01478984).

This review article summarizes key landmark trials that have shaped understanding of the role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The relationship between stenosis, ischemia, and angina is more complex than first imagined. Anginal relief remains the p …

BRS have different mechanical properties compared to the traditional metallic stents that should be taken into account during their implantation. Lesion selection, device sizing and satisfied pre-dilatation should be implemented prudently. Although intravascular imaging is not mandatory for the impl …

OVERVIEW: What every practitioner needs to know Are you sure your patient has overdosed? What are the typical findings for this condition? Stimulants

Stimulants are substances that induce a number of characteristic symptoms. CNS effects include alertness with increased vigilance, a sense of well-being, and euphoria.

A study by the University of Western Australia indicates that amphetamine addiction and use can accelerate the aging process of the heart.

Abstract. Myogenic fibrosis of the flexor tendons in a 23-year-old patient was caused by intense drug abuse. He was presented in the clinic with spastic flexor

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disorder characterised by progressive obliteration of the pulmonary microvasculature resulting in elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and premature death. According to the current classification PAH can be associated with exposure to certain drugs or toxins, particularly to appetite suppressant intake drugs, such as aminorex, fenfluramine derivatives and benfluorex. These drugs have been confirmed to be risk factors for PAH and were withdrawn from the market. The supposed mechanism is an increase in serotonin levels, which was demonstrated to act as a growth factor for the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Amphetamines, phentermine and mazindol were less frequently used, but are considered possible risk factors, for PAH. Dasatinib, dual Src/Abl kinase inhibitor, used in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukaemia was associated with cases of severe PAH, potentially in part reversible after dasatinib withdrawal. Recently, several studies have raised the issue of potential endothelial dysfunction that could be induced by interferon, and a few cases of PAH have been reported with interferon therapy. PAH remains a rare complication of these drugs, suggesting possible individual susceptibility, and further studies are needed to identify patients at risk of drug-induced PAH.

We performed a meta-analysis of the studies comparing the efficacy and safety of coronary artery bypass surgery against percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents (PCI-DES) in patients with isolated LAD disease. Because of the limited randomized trial data, the optimal revascularization strategy for patients with isolated LAD disease remains uncertain. Using MEDLINE and EMBASE to source data, 11 studies (3 randomized trials and 8 cohort studies) including 5,044 participants were identified.

A graphical method is described that permits simple and adequate quantitative and statistical evaluation of combinations of synergistically acting drugs. Thereby, the dose-response (DR) of a drug A can be determined in the presence as well as in the absence of a certain concentration of a drug B. Th …

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A study by the University of Western Australia indicates that amphetamine addiction and use can accelerate the aging process of the heart.

A graphical method is described that permits simple and adequate quantitative and statistical evaluation of combinations of synergistically acting drugs. Thereby, the dose-response (DR) of a drug A can be determined in the presence as well as in the absence of a certain concentration of a drug B. Th …

Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 is a key regulator of innate immune responses and has been shown to play an important role in inflammation-associated cance…